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Board of Directors

Sachiko Kuno, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Dr. Sachiko Kuno studied biochemistry and biochemical engineering as one of a few Japanese female scientists. She obtained her Ph.D. in biochemical engineering from Kyoto University, Japan and has conducted post-doctoral research at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. In the mid-80s, Dr. Kuno joined her research partner, Dr. Ryuji Ueno, and established R-Tech Ueno Ltd. in Japan to commercialize prostones, a class of functional fatty acids whose therapeutic potential was first identified by Dr. Ueno. Leading teams of talented scientists, Drs. Ueno and Kuno unlocked the therapeutic potential of prostones, leading to more than 900 patents and patent applications successful launch of Rescula® eye drops, the first bioactive lipid ever used to treat glaucoma, in Japan.

Dr. Sachiko Kuno studied biochemistry and biochemical engineering as one of a few Japanese female scientists. She obtained her Ph.D. in biochemical engineering from Kyoto University, Japan and has conducted post-doctoral research at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. In the mid-80s, Dr. Kuno joined her research partner, Dr. Ryuji Ueno, and established R-Tech Ueno Ltd. in Japan to commercialize prostones, a class of functional fatty acids whose therapeutic potential was first identified by Dr. Ueno. Leading teams of talented scientists, Drs. Ueno and Kuno unlocked the therapeutic potential of prostones, leading to more than 900 patents and patent applications successful launch of Rescula® eye drops, the first bioactive lipid ever used to treat glaucoma, in Japan.

Leveraging R-Tech’s success in Japan, the two moved to Bethesda, MD and established Sucampo Group, an affiliation of companies in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Dr. Kuno was Sucampo Group’s founding CEO and Chair of the Board, until she stepped down in 2012. During her time at Sucampo, Dr. Kuno conducted research and development, the operation of the company, and the successful launch of the Drs.’ Second product AMITIZA® for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and opioid-induced constipation in adults. Sucampo, which acquired R-Tech Ueno in 2015, is listed and traded on NASDAQ. In 2012, she co-founded VLP Therapeutics, LLC to combat 21st century global public health problems through revolutionary i-αVLP Technology.

Dr. Kuno currently serves as the President and CEO of S&R Foundation in Washington, D.C., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization she co-founded in 2000 to support talented individuals with high aspirations and great potential in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship, especially those who are furthering international cultural collaboration.

In 2016, Dr. Kuno co-founded WE Capital, a female-led investment fund in Washington, D.C. An impact investment group, WE Capital invests in female leadership while promoting social impact and financial returns. She is also a founding member of the Greater Washington Partnership, a group of civic-minded business leaders committed to improving the greater Washington region.

Dr. Kuno is the co-founder and visionary creative behind Halcyon, launched in 2017, and its mission to catalyze and nurture emerging creatives striving for a better world. Driven by Dr. Kuno’s vision, Halcyon’s family of innovative programs, including the acclaimed Halcyon Incubator, is growing rapidly to include Halcyon Stage, a pioneering creatives series of performances and conversations, Halcyon Arts Lab, a residency based studio arts program, and Halcyon Dialogue, a series of high-level discussions among global experts focusing on major topics including implications of robots for global society and social impact-based sciences.

She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins Medicine, on the Board of Directors for The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, and on the Advisory Board of THIS for Diplomats at Meridian International Center. Dr. Kuno has received several awards over the years, including the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Greater Washington Area in the Life Sciences Category (2007), and recognition as one of the 25 “Women Who Mean Business” by The Washington Business Journal (2009). She has also been named in Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 America’s Richest Self Made Women (2015) and the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes Japan (2015). Most recently, Dr. Kuno was awarded Stateswoman of the Year 2016 by the Harvard Business School of Japan and received the AVON Awards to Women 2016.

Marianne Chaconas, a native Washingtonian, brings a broad range of experiences and skills to S&R. Ms. Chaconas’ multifaceted background includes marketing and business management experience in the private industry in the areas of telecommunications, aerospace, Government contracting, and real estate, and in the Federal Government with the US Treasury and Department of Defense. She comes to S&R with a great appreciation for the arts, especially fine arts and dance.

Marianne Chaconas, a native Washingtonian, brings a broad range of experiences and skills to S&R. Ms. Chaconas’ multifaceted background includes marketing and business management experience in the private industry in the areas of telecommunications, aerospace, Government contracting, and real estate, and in the Federal Government with the US Treasury and Department of Defense.

Her telecommunications experience was enhanced as a member of the first technical and managerial training program for selected graduate degreed staff members. Her experience in Contracts and Contracts Administration was gained while working for Government Contractors and the Government where she also refined her skills as a Program Manager and Analyst. Her management skills were further honed in the Government as a Branch Manager, within all areas of Logistics Management, where her responsibilities included trouble shooting functional and personnel issues. As a member of a special staff group, Marianne helped develop and implement an executive performance information measurement system, to include an automated input and reporting system, covering an entire Government Agency. Ms. Chaconas currently runs her own real estate management business.

Ms. Chaconas received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mount Vernon College and her Masters of Business Administration, in International Business, from the George Washington University. Included among her scholastic achievements is membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society.

Ms. Chaconas is a self-proclaimed animal lover and supports several pro-animal efforts including serving for many years as a Virginia State Council member for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

She comes to S&R with a great appreciation for the arts, especially fine arts and dance.

Douglas W. Charnas is a Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented non-profit organizations since 1984, when he left the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service to enter private practice. He has worked with S&R Foundation since its formation in 2000, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors and the Secretary/Treasurer. In addition to his love of music, Mr. Charnas has a passion for antique and sports cars.

Douglas W. Charnas is a Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented non-profit organizations since 1984, when he left the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service to enter private practice. He has worked with S&R Foundation since its formation in 2000, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors and the Secretary/Treasurer.

Mr. Charnas worked on the formation and implementation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, which was established by Congress in 1984 to encourage the observance of Dr. King’s birthday. He is a founding board member of the European-American Cultural Foundation, and also serves as its Secretary/Treasurer. Currently, he serves as an officer in other non-profit organizations, including as Secretary/Treasurer of the J. Edgar Murdock Inn of Court at the United States Tax Court.

Mr. Charnas is a partner in the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP where his practice focuses on Tax and Corporate law. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Law School.

In addition to his love of music in a wide range of genres, Mr. Charnas has a passion for antique and sports cars.